F. M. Khan (1930-2002) was born in Bargu , a small village in the district Ghizer, in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan. He had a tumultuous life, a veteran of the war of liberation of Gilgit-Baltistan (1947-48) and a successful businessman. He emerged as a leader of the business community in Lahore. He served on the Board of Directors of Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry for 12 years and was their Vice President in 1978.

He was a voracious reader and a keen writer. His first article was published in 1959 in the Pakistan Times , entitled ‘Songs of Fairies’. He wrote numerous articles on diverse subjects, published in the English language newspapers of Pakistan, including again the Pakistan Times, the Muslim, the Nation and the Frontier Post.

A widely travelled person he visited most countries of the world. Khan had the friendship of the most prominent families of Pakistan - the Bhuttos and Shariefs . Habib R. Sulemani compiled his writings on the ancient, recent and contemporary history of Gilgit-Baltistan in a book, entitled: “The Story of Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral.” This is a thought provoking book and has raised many controversial questions about the history of the area. It is the first ever book on the subject to be published in English by a native writer.

External links

• Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry
• NAs and PIA
• Clarification